Vancouver City Councillor

Vancouver Wallpaper City Guide features architecture, spas in one easy-to-read package

Ever wonder how Vancouver looks to others? Particularly the “design-conscious and discerning traveller” who “would no more be seen perusing a guidebook in public than wearing a fanny pack?”

The newly-released Wallpaper City Guide for Vancouver, a discreet powder-blue little number that would fit well in a fanny pack, is city writer Hadani Ditmars‘ offering, a upscale take on the city that is long on interior design and architecture, a little short on local history and culture.

According to the promo release, Vancouver is “currently under construction. New towers vie for the title of the tallest, 100 restaurants opened last year alone, and entire neighbourhoods have been carved out of landfills.”

Given Ditmars’ fine-grained knowledge of the city, there’s plenty of ideas for a good time here, including leads on shopping and a surprising number of high-end spas. (Somehow Hollyburn Lodge makes an appearance, despite the ban on fanny packs.)

It’s priced right at $11.95.

What was missing for me? The Woodward’s project gets a single mention, no photo, although it is a possible reply to Ditmars’ tart comment that “visitors may be forgiven for thinking there’s a city-wide cult preventing young architects from building an enduring legacy.”

Geoff Meggs was elected to City Council in November 2008 on the Vision Vancouver team led by Gregor Robertson. He lives with his wife, Jan O’Brien in a False Creek town house. They have two adult daughters. READ MORE